Among the various asset classes accessible via exchange-traded funds (ETFs), currencies often go overlooked by many investors. That is likely an extension of the well-documented home country bias many investors have.
In the U.S., investors are apt to embrace dollar-denominated investments, be it bonds, commodities or other assets. Even when it comes to investing in ex-US markets, American investors often overlook currency risk in favor of vehicles denominated in dollars.
This year, the Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEARCA:UUP), which tracks the greenback against a basket of major foreign currencies, is one of the best-performing currency ETFs. UUP gauges the dollar's performance against the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Swiss franc and is up 6.33% year-to-date.
InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips
* 10 Oversold Stocks Due for a Bounce
However, as is the case with other assets, dollar bull markets do not last forever and with some market observers forecasting dollar declines in 2019, some other currency ETFs may be worth considering. Here are some currency ETFs to mull over in the New Year.
### Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund (UDN)
Expense Ratio: 0.80% per year, or $80 per $10,000 invested
Put simply, the Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund (NYSEARCA:UDN) is the bearish answer to the aforementioned UUP. UDN is arguably the most well-known bearish currency ETF and it is not leveraged, so it is less volatile and an easier hold for investors looking to be short the greenback for several days or weeks.
While the greenback has been a star among currencies this year, UDN is setting up to be a winner among currency ETFs in 2019.
"In the latest Reuters poll of more than 60 currency analysts, taken Nov. 28-Dec. 5, the dollar was forecast to be weaker against major currencies in a year," reports Reuters. "The greenback may also struggle to move much higher, given currency speculators' bets in favor of the dollar are the highest since December 2016, according to Commodity Futures Trading Commission data."
### WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund (CEW)
Expense Ratio: 0.55%
Emerging markets stocks are not the only asset class in the developing world getting hammered this year. A primary reason why bonds and equities in emerging markets are flailing this year is the strong U.S. dollar, a scenario that has made the WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund (NYSEARCA:CEW) a dog among currency ETFs.
The Federal Reserve's 2018 rate tightening regime has punished nearly every currency ETF aside from the dollar bullish UUP, but if the Fed slows its pace of rate hikes next year or eliminates it altogether, currency ETFs such as CEW could benefit. Some market observers are already forecasting a 2019 rebound for emerging markets currencies.
* 10 Top Stock Picks From the Street's Best Analysts
"Goldman Sachs Asset Management expects to see improving economic conditions in emerging markets over the coming months, thus providing a springboard for the value of regional stocks and currencies," reports CNBC.
### Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX)
Expense Ratio: 0.11%
Vanguard is not a major player in currency ETFs, but one of its offerings on that front is worth considering for income investors. The Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (NASDAQ:BNDX) hedges currency risk by tracking the Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged).
The hedging strategy employed by BNDX is important because the more than 5,400 bonds held by this currency ETF are not denominated in dollars. This currency ETF's hedging strategy is proving less bad in 2018 as BNDX is down just 0.42%. Plus, this Vanguard fund is cheaper than 88% of rival funds, according to issuer data.
BNDX's holdings have an average duration of 7.8 years and credit risk is minimal with this fund as approximately 83% of its holdings are rated between A and AAA. This currency ETF yields 2.27%.
### Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (DBEU)
Expense Ratio: 0.45%
The Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:DBEU) is a currency ETF that needs two things to happen to deliver for investors. As an equity-based currency hedged ETF, DBEU is likely to rise if the dollar remains strong against major European currencies while stocks in the region rise.
That is not a far-flung scenario and it has happened before. Many of the largest companies residing in this currency ETF generate significant portions of their sales in the U.S. So if the dollar is strong, that benefits the companies as they convert dollars generated by U.S. sales back into euros, francs and pounds.
* 7 Tech Stocks Without China Exposure
DBEU includes exposure to stocks from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Consumer staples and healthcare stocks, two export-driven groups, combine for over a quarter of DBEU's weight.
### SPDR Long Dollar Gold Trust (GLDW)
Expense Ratio: 0.50%
Gold, like other commodities, is denominated in dollars. Typically, that is bad news when the dollar rises, but the SPDR Long Dollar Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:GLDW) is a currency ETF meets gold ETF that can help investors stay engaged with bullion, even when the dollar is moving higher.
GLDW, which is nearly two years old, follows the Solactive GLD Long USD Gold Index. That index is "designed to represent the daily performance of a long position in physical gold and a short position in a basket ("the FX Basket") comprised of each of the Reference Currencies (i.e., a long USD exposure versus the FX Basket)," according to State Street.
Currencies measured against the dollar within GLDW are the euro, Japanese yen, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Swiss franc.
Notably, this currency ETF earned its paycheck in 2018. While basic gold ETFs were down almost 3%, GLDW was up 3.61%.
As of this writing, Todd Shriber did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
### More From InvestorPlace
* 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid
* 7 Downtrodden Stocks to Fish From the Bottom
* 8 Cheap Value Stocks That Just Got More Enticing
* 5 Apple Suppliers Hurt by the Guidance Cut
Compare Brokers
The post 5 Currency ETFs to Consider At the Start of 2019 appeared first on InvestorPlace.

The U.S. dollar has been one of 2018's best-performing major currencies, a point confirmed by the Invesco DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) . Analysts argued that the dollar’s strength at the start of the year was just a brief spike in a broader downward trend that began in 2017, pointing to easing of trade tensions, the ebbing effects of U.S. tax cuts and the Fed’s hesitation to tighten its monetary policy. “A major driver of the dollar’s decline could be a downturn in the U.S. economy, especially in the second half of the year, JPMorgan Asset Management predicted,” reports Bloomberg.

The U.S. dollar, one of 2018's best-performing major currencies, could weaken next year, bringing much anticipated relief for several asset classes along the way. The Invesco DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) , which tracks the USD’s movements against a basket of major developed currencies, is up nearly 7% year-to-date.

The dollar has been one of the world's best-performing major currencies this year, but that run could be threatened by a gridlocked Congress. In Tuesday's midterm elections, Democrats emerged with control of the House while Republicans maintained control of the Senate. “While the outcome was largely expected, analysts at Morgan Stanley and Credit Agricole SA say it could lead to a gridlocked government during the rest of President Donald Trump’s term, undermining efforts to extend tax cuts and boost infrastructure spending,” according to Bloomberg.

After its recent rally, the U.S. dollar and related ETF have lost some steam, weakening against its fellow developed-market peers. Meanwhile, the ICE Dollar Index, which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six currencies including the euro and yen, has fallen off 1.9% from its August high. Analysts argued that the dollar’s strength at the start of the year was just a brief spike in a broader downward trend that began in 2017, pointing to easing of trade tensions, the ebbing effects of U.S. tax cuts and the Fed's hesitation to tighten its monetary policy.

The Invesco DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) , which tracks the USD’s movements against a basket of major developed currencies, is up 5.6% year-to-date, making it one of the best-performing currency exchange traded funds. UUP tracks the Deutsche Bank Long USD Currency Portfolio Index – Excess Return Index. “The dollar index has soared around 8 percent since its February low, but I believe we've seen the top for 2018.

The U.S. dollar and currency-related exchange traded fund faltered Friday after President Donald Trump threatened to enact tariffs on all Chinese imports and censured the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy. On the other hand, traders considering a bearish position on the dollar capitalized on the weakness with the PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish (UDN) , the direct inverse play against UUP, which gained 0.9% Friday. The U.S. dollar depreciated Friday after Trump accused many major exporting countries, including China and the European Union, of manipulating their currencies, arguing that the unfavorable global monetary policies have reduced U.S. exporters' competitive advantage, reports Jeff Cox for CNBC.

Up about 4% year-to-date, the Invesco DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) is one of this year’s best-performing major currency ETFs. However, some market observers remain concerned about ...

After slumping last year, the Invesco DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) is up nearly 3% year-to-date, making it one of 2018's best-performing currency exchange traded funds. Albeit modestly, UUP gave back some gains last week, but some currency market observers see near-term downside for the greenback but believe the dollar can generate more upside down the road. “Bank of America Merrill Lynch believes the dollar rally isn't broken, it's just pausing for a near-term correction,” reports CNBC.

The US dollar depreciated against its major trading-partner currencies after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on May 10 that US consumer prices grew 0.1% in April after falling 0.1% in March. The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2%, marking a 2.1% year-over-year increase. The US dollar (UUP) fell after this report, as a slower rate of inflation (TIP) growth could mean a slower pace of rate hikes. In a developed economy, higher interest rates boost the currency. On May 10, the US dollar (USDU) index closed at 92.5. It appreciated by 0. ...

The PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) is up nearly 2% over the past week and resides above its 200-day moving average. While the greenback’s recent strength has sparked some ...

The PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEARCA: UUP) surged more than 2% in April and started May off on a strong note, prompting some technical analysts to opine that more gains are ahead for ...

The U.S. dollar is looking flush in recent weeks, but more pessimistic traders who believe that the greenback's fortunes could quickly turn can look to an U.S. dollar exchange traded fund to hedge against potential summertime pullbacks. The PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) has quickly strengthened in recent weeks, jumping 5.0% over the past three months. The U.S. dollar ETF is now trading back above its long-term, 200-day simple moving average.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday that consumer prices in the US grew by 0.2% in February after a stellar increase of 0.5% in January. The US dollar (UUP) declined after this report, as a lower rate of inflation could limit the pace of rate hikes from the US Fed. For developed economies, higher interest rates could lead to a higher valued currency. The US dollar (UDN) managed a minor recovery after the initial slump after the inflation (VTIP) report, but the recovery was short-lived as news about President Trump firing the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, hit the wires.

Even with a pop in early February, the PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP) is down 2% year-to-date and some currency market analysts and observers believe pressure will remain ...

ETFdb.com analyzes the search patterns of our visitors each week. By sharing these trends with our readers, we hope to provide insights into what the financial world is concerned about and how to position your portfolio. Netflix and its outstanding fourth-quarter results took the top spot in this week’s list, while an unexpected announcement from United Continental locked in second place for the airline industry. FAANG ETFs were also of interest due to the upcoming earnings calls. Solar energy, which received a blow from the U.S. president’s plan to impose tariffs on panels, took fourth place and, lastly, the weak U.S. dollar attracted attention as it accelerated its descent. Check out our previous trends edition at Trending: NAFTA Faces Risk of Crumbling If Deal Is Not Reached.

After slumping 9.1% last year, the PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSEArca: UUP), the exchange traded fund proxy for the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), is off to a sour start in 2018 with a loss ...

The U.S. dollar has been in a free fall, but the greenback-related ETF regained its footing after President Donald Trump confirmed his strong dollar outlook. The PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish ...